Rate of Reid babies impacted by opioids continues rising

The rate newborn babies begin their lives impacted by opioid drugs continues to climb, according to Reid Health statistics.

Through May, 44 mothers giving birth at Reid tested positive for opioids, said Lisa Suttle, Reid's director of strategic initiatives for community psych services, at a meeting of the Heroin Is Here group. The rate easily outpaces 2016, when 58 mothers tested positive for opioids. Assuming the rate of about nine mothers per month continues, more than 100 new mothers at Reid would test positive for opioids this year.

Babies exposed to opioids in the womb can experience a series of problems known as neonatal abstinence syndrome. Impacts include low birth rate, breathing and feeding problems and seizures. Expectant mothers testing positive for opioids are not permitted to withdraw until after the birth because withdrawal before birth is dangerous for the baby. 

Reid, which previously had tested mothers showing signs of drug use, began universal screens for all expectant mothers late during 2015. A sharp increase in mothers testing positive resulted. During 2015, 54 mothers tested positive. The number was 31 in 2014, 11 in 2013, 15 in 2012, four in 2011 and one in 2010.

Reid attempts to help the mothers beat addiction through a partnership with Cross Road Christian Recovery Center for Women. Reid also operates a birth control clinic at Richmond Comprehensive Treatment Center to prevent pregnancies in women addicted to opioids.

5 complete diversion programs

Morgan Williams of the Wayne County Probation Department shared a positive number with the group. Five individuals have now successfully completed the Pre-Trial Drug Diversion Program implemented by Prosecutor Mike Shipman and administered by probation.

Low-level offenders committing drug crimes and crimes resulting from addiction have their charges dismissed if they complete the program.

Williams said the program is designed to take 18 months for each individual and said having five spending less than a year to complete the program is a positive. She also said several more are nearing completion.

Since the program began in June 2016, Williams said 83 offenders have been accepted into the program, with 52 having been removed. However, the program was tweaked to better assess an offender's readiness for the intensive program before acceptance with the hope fewer offenders would be removed.

Charges proceed against offenders removed from the program

Town hall set for Aug. 3

A town hall meeting is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at Reid's Lingle Hall.

Brittney Cohee of the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, which sponsors the event along with Reid, said the event will stress resources available in Wayne County and the status of the local fight against addiction. She said a panel will discuss state legislation and what's happening in Wayne County prior to taking questions from those in attendance.

Prime for Life programs

Five Prime For Life prevention, intervention and pretreatment programs by Fairbanks treatment center have been scheduled for teenagers who are just starting to use drugs, prescription medications or alcohol.

The programs, which are free because of a grant from United Way, last from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are in Reid's Oncology Conference Room. Dates are Aug. 5, Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 11 and Dec. 2. Participants should register by calling (855) 880-1217.

Holly Homan said the program targets ages 13 to 18 to stop them from becoming a hard-core substance user. She said the program teaches teens to avoid addiction and involves the teens' families during the afternoon.